Step right up.... for a baby shower

It's baby shower time again at Red Gate Farm... well actually it will be at my sister's house but since I came up with the theme and have taken over all of the decorating am responsible for decorations I think that we can still call it a Red Gate Farm baby shower!

And this shower will be double the fun and double the babies!  It is a combined shower for my niece that had a baby boy just before Christmas and my cousin's daughter that had a baby boy just after New Years.  These two mommas grew up together and they themselves are just a few days apart in age... so a joint party it will be!

The invitations will set the stage for the invited guests.  With bright colors, a cute font, a red striped big top tent, candy and tickets.

So have you guessed the theme?  Well step right up... to the circus/carnival/parade/zoo!  But mostly circus... I just can't help finding a few extra vintage items that aren't quite circus but I couldn't resist.

Last fall I found these fabulous books at an antique-craft show that my mom and I attend every year.   These are handmade journals... made out of old books and re use the covers along with a few pictures inside!  I found a cute Berenstein Bear book "C is for Clown" and another Disney book "The Mice and the Circus".  I plan to have guests write their addresses inside along with anything else they wish to include.  I thought they would be wonderful little memories of the special day.

Of course, there will be food and prizes.  I've collected a number of fun recipes on Pinterest... even a caramel popcorn that sounds fantastic.  Perhaps these vintage popcorn or peanut bags will be favor bags filled with that popcorn and some salt water taffy?

And decorations?  Of course I've been collecting all kinds of goodies...

I found this vintage board from an old board game.  It is actually a zoo but it inspired the vintage circus/carnival idea... and who can resist a box or two of animal crackers?  I've found a couple of tins with the Barnum's Animal Crackers design and plan to incorporate them into the design somehow.

Here's a closer look at the board game and the elephants... cute huh?  I love how one is stealing an ice cream and the other is picking a little boy up by his britches!

But the best find?  Well I found it just today at our local antique store.  Just $12 with 20% off!  Do you know what it is?

It's actually a "billboard" from an old train set and lights up!

I'll be sharing more on the planning over the next couple of weeks...and hopefully... the shower will live up to it's billing...
as the greatest show on earth.

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